If Rafa really wants to have a real go in the Premiership, he is going to have to learn to go for it a bit more, espically away from home. United went to Bolton last season and went for them straight away, beat them 4-0. Rafa went in wit caution and got well beaten in the end. in first 5 away games (Everton, Chelsea, United and Arsenal), we had about 5 shots on target. Looks like a lot easier start this season. We should lay down a marker early, but destroying a few of the weaker teams It looks as if he is going to have five central midfielders battling for two places... Alonso, Sissoko, Leiva (5 mill), Gerrard and Masher. We so many central midfielders, the temptation to start with two defensive midfielders will be great away from. The motto next season should be ATTACK!!!ATTACK!!!ATTACK!!!ATTACK!!!
Rafa is going to change the way we play. Last season was the toughest start we had i'd say in the premiership ever. What hopefully will help us is that for the first time since Rafa arrived theres no major international involving most of the squad and we don't have to play in July competively unlike the summer of 2005. The players will be more refreshed hopefully and if they are we should with luck get a good start to the season. Set down marker in our first 2 games against Villa and Chelsea will help
I wouldn't say he's going to change the way we play completely.It wouldn't be Rafa's style to go for the gung-ho approach, it never has. Although I do expect to see a gradual shift in mentality especially against the lesser teams, i.e away to Watford last season starting 3 strikers, maybe doing this more against the mid-table teams aswell and having more faith in our attacking options, and the ability of momo/masch/xabi to sit back and cover the counter attack.
Id like to see a return of Rafa's 4-2-3-1, he favoured this with his championship winning teams in Valencia. With Torres at the top and Gerrard on the right, kuyt withdrawn and a fit Kewell on the left we'd be on fire.
Hi, While I agree we seriously need to destroy the weaker teams, in terms of: - improving goal difference - ensuring we don't end up leaking a last minute goal and ending with a draw - laying down a marker for the season and in a sense, frightening our opponents into playing very defensive games.... I suspect Rafa won't change the formation, or the style too much ... only the influence of the Yanks, wanting to see some high scoers might help push him into more of an attacking role. I must admit, while I'd love to see a real attacking side, I'm tempted to now let Rafa have 2 seasons to win the Premiership, his way .... he's done very well for us to date, without having the resources one migh thave wished for, but now he seems to have enough support, or very close to it, so lets see him do it Were I were offered the chance to set out the team though, here's how I'd see the line up: ---------------------Reina---------------------- ---Jamie Carriger-----Agger----Steve Finnan----- -------------Mascherano-----Alonso------------- --------Penant---------------------Riise--------- ---------------------Gerard--------------------- -----------------Kuyt-----Torres---------------- - would love to include Sammy, but fear he's getting to old now - Riise not to be replaced by Kewell, but perhaps a better new singing - No more messing about with Steve G on the side, please
ROFLMAO Sorry, was getting carried away there (I've now changed it back to 11, guess it's only fair after all )
only the influence of the Yanks, wanting to see some high scoers might help push him into more of an attacking role. No chance G, Rafa runs the footie, they will have no influence on the team selection or style of play at all and if they attempt to do so Rafa will walk.
GK Reina RB Finnan LB Riise/Aurelio/New player/less likely Insua CB Carra CB Agger (big season, can he maintain his first season form RMF Stevie G/ Pennant/ someone new (ill probably be slated for stevie on right, but I think he offers a lot there ??would we try Leiva there if stuck?? Otherwise maybe Garretods way of facilitating Gerrard looks good CM Mashcerano ( our best midfielder IMO CM Alonso ( will bring more players in than SG) LM/wing ( see left back with maybe kewell/Leto or new player CF Kuyt CF Torres Old fashioned 4-4-2, though Id offer Stevie a free role. This does limit us on the right wing which is a problem. I think we need a left winger and Id be shoppinf for another CB and maybe left back too ( Heinze could do both for 4 million, a steal) I think you need two up front, especially against teams outside the top 4. Against top 3 I might swap Kuyt for Pennant and put Stevie G even freer.
Suspect your probably right mate, but that was the only possibilty I could think of myself that would change him
I don't think Rafa will be using 4-4-2 next season, because we have 5 central midfielders in team. Sissoko, Alonso and Gerrard have all signed new deals, and Mascherano and Lucas are new players. All of them have quality and certainly won't be satisfied with bench role. 2 spots in centre of midfield won't do. New tactics could be 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1.
Rafa will never be all out attack minded. He will stick to his formula of being defensive and having creative players going forward to get the goals. The problem he has had so far is the quality of delivery from the wings has been inconsistent and the strikers have been too. If we can get a bit more quality then we should probably see a more fluid formation.